Governor, CM confer on railway project
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 10 2014 : With the Centre not releasing any more fund, construction work of Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal railway line has run into serious trouble.

Taking serious note of the situation, the Governor and the Chief Minister conferred on the matter today.

Chief Minister O Ibobi called on Governor VK Duggal at Raj Bhavan this afternoon and discussed about non-release of fund by the Centre for the Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal railway project.

During the meeting which lasted for almost 30 minutes, the Chief Minister apprised the Governor about the unfolding scenario with regard to the railway project which was already declared a national project.

It is also possible that VK Duggal wanted to know from the Chief Minister what he can do for the project as he has taken office as Governor of Manipur just 11 days back.

According to a source, the Governor may go to Delhi and meet the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister, the Railways Minister as well as officials of the Planning Commission in order to secure release of necessary fund for the railway project.

The Union Government stopped releasing fund for the project since October last year and now the situation is such that the construction work has been halted altogether.

In case the project is kept suspended during this working season, the project would be delayed for a considerable length of time.

Notably, Chief Minister O Ibobi while addressing the 62nd plenary session of the NEC at Guwahati recently stated that the railway project has been completed by 42 per cent even as the Centre released Rs 450 crore as against Rs 1200 crore which should be released during the financial year 2013-14 .

Meanwhile, the targeted period for completion of the project was extended up to 2017 .

Ibobi further stated that tender process for the Tupul-Imphal section of the project was yet to be initiated.

Comment